UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Urged to Join New UN-Backed International Panel on Inequality

Forty leading progressive scholars—including Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz, UCL professor Mariana Mazzucato, LSE vice-chancellor Larry Kramer and York University professor Kate Pickett—have issued an open letter urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to sign the United Kingdom up to the International Panel on Inequality (IPI). The academics argue that the IPI, modeled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will supply an independent global evidence base on the causes and consequences of inequality and recommend policy solutions. They contend that UK involvement would cement the “organising principles” of Burnham’s domestic agenda on the world stage, especially as the country prepares to chair the G20 in 2027.

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The IPI is being drafted within the United Nations system, with Brazil, South Africa, Norway and Spain already participating in its formation. The panel is slated to be chaired by Stiglitz and to track extreme wealth disparities worldwide. Burnham’s record on inequality stems from his nine-year tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, a period the signatories cite as evidence of his commitment. Labour’s broader policy direction includes a renewed focus on international development, highlighted by the appointment of Ed Miliband as foreign secretary and his intention to take the UK’s seat on the World Bank board.

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• Andy Burnham – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, former mayor of Greater Manchester.

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• Joseph Stiglitz – Nobel-winning economist, proposed chair of the IPI.

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• Kate Pickett – Professor at York University, co-author of *The Spirit Level* and lead coordinator of the academic letter.

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• Ed Miliband – New foreign secretary, advocating for a stronger role for international development.

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Foreign Office minister for growth Stewart Wood responded to the letter by emphasizing that reshaping the economy for fairness requires partnership with other nations and international institutions. He outlined the government’s intent to collaborate with allies to build a coalition for economic change, boost global growth, combat inequality, improve the effectiveness of international financial institutions, and support coordinated development and climate action.

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The academics urge Burnham to use his upcoming attendance at the UN General Assembly—scheduled for next month—to signal robust UK support for the IPI. If the UK signs on, it could influence the agenda of the 2027 G20 summit and reinforce Labour’s stated goal of restoring the 0.7 % of national income target for overseas aid, a benchmark set under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The initiative also aligns with calls from charities, think-tanks and backbench MPs for the UK to reclaim a leadership role in global development policy.

The Guardian